Thanks to the special offer from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, residents who order the larger 360-litre yellow bin before 31 August will pay nothing to have their new bin delivered and their old one taken away.

Council’s Development and Environment Services Director Matt Rogers said a waste audit conducted during June showed that while recycling was generally on the increase, there was still plenty the community can do to get their waste sorted.

“The audit showed almost a quarter (22 per cent) of the contents of red rubbish bins were recyclable materials that belonged in the yellow recycling bin,” Mr Rogers said.

“We’re asking everyone to think twice before you bin it.

“Any plastic containers with the triangle recycling symbol numbered one to seven, paper, cardboard, cans, glass bottles and jars and even empty aerosols should go in the yellow recycling bin.

“Remember though, no plastic bags, foam, light bulbs or broken glass as contamination is costly for the community and prevents valuable resources from being recycled.”

Mr Rogers also reinforced the importance of disposing of recyclable materials correctly to ensure “we reduce the amount of valuable resources ending up in landfill, minimise our impact on the environment and keep community costs down”.

Tips include: not placing recyclables in plastic bags; removing lids; flattening boxes; rinsing out containers and; not cramming rubbish into cardboard boxes.